One of the lamentable side-effects of Hanoi’s rapid development are the peach groves that are being turned into construction sites.

Some land plots in Hanoi cost as much as VND500 million (USD23,900) per square metre, but people continue their rush to buy land, even in agricultural areas.

Ten years ago, Nhat Tan peach trees were moved to area on the dyke edge of Tu Lien, Nhat Tan and Quang An wards in Tay Ho District to give place for new urban area projects.

However, since early this year, many trucks have been transporting solid waste, soil and sand to Nhat Tan peach gardens.

Piles of waste spoil agricultural land

The rubbish piles high

A garden which has just raised higher with thousands of soil and sand trucks

Peach trees left in a garden attacked by the soil trucks

A bride crosses piles of rubble to get to peach trees

Just 3km from Nhat Tan Bridge, the groves may become construction sites

Truck enters the groves

A basin for watering plants next to piles of dirt

Couples still come for photos

Housing is fast encroaching

Agricultural land near Thang Long Bridge may suffer the same fate